The Big Dig * JJ * Daniel * Mena * Jasmine *Deb *Cathy The Big Dig * JJ * Daniel * Mena * Jasmine *Deb *Cathy The Big Dig * JJ * Daniel * Mena * Jasmine *Deb *Cathy The Big Dig * JJ * Daniel * Mena * Jasmine *Deb *Cathy The Big Dig * JJ * Daniel * Mena * Jasmine *Deb *Cathy

How it all Began …..  After public protest against housing conditions and the outbreak of bubonic plague in 1900 the government resumed most of The Rocks area, including the site of The Big Dig between Cumberland & Gloucester streets and condemned it for demolition.  Almost all of the buildings were demolished between 1902 –  After 1915 the land was utilised in many ways including light industry & parking lots.  A team of archaeologists were engaged in 1994 by the Sydney Cove Authority to investigate the 2,675m site in Cumberland Street.

 The site quickly became a popular attraction & was soon nicknamed ‘The Big Dig’.  The remains of more than 40 houses & shops along with hundreds of thousands of artefacts have since been unearthed.  Public access was not allowed from  Further archaeological excavations took place in 2005, 2006 & 2008  In 2008 construction of the Sydney YHA & The Big Dig Archaeological Educational centre began  The first overnight guests stayed on 31st October 2009 & The Hostel & Education centre were officially opened on 7th April 2010

 Sydney Learning Adventures (SLA) is an initiative of the Sydney foreshore and it is their aim to bring the history of Sydney to the general public as well as students from K- 12  programs include : Little Diggers - yrs 1-2 HSIE Dirt Detectives - yrs 3-4 HSIE Pieces of the Past - yrs 5-6 HSIE Cesspits and old rubbish - yrs 7-10 History Groundwork: Archaeology at The Big Dig - yr 11 Ancient History & stage 5 elective history  Our focus was on The Pieces of the past yr 5-6 excursion. This excursion allows students to use artefacts, pictures, paintings & written documents to piece together the lives of people from Cumberland Street in 1800.

Stage 3 Strand: Change and Continuity Sub strand: Significant events and people CCS3.1 Explains the significance of particular people, groups places, actions and events in developing Australia's identity and heritage Strand: Environments Sub strand: Relationships with places ENS3.6 Explains how various belief and practices influence the ways in which people interact with, change and value their environment.

The Big Idea Contributing questions???

Teachers Prior knowledge: To successfully teach this unit teachers should familiarise themselves with the information available in the SLA teacher resources. This information includes background information like – * What is archaeology? * Why is conservation of the past important? * Aboriginal inhabitants of The Rocks * Development of The Rocks * Archaeological sites at The Rocks Knowledge of * The pre European landscape * the arrival of Europeans * The early residents * The impact of significant events eg the plague & WW1

 The Big Dig excursion could be incorporated into a unit of inquiry that’s main focus is on the settlement of Sydney / colonisation.  the students would benefit most if the excursion was undertaken after they had completed in class research and lessons but prior to the completion of the unit.  Prior knowledge would enable them to view the site and artefacts with greater appreciation & therefore better understanding.  it would be hoped that by visiting these historic landmarks & examining primary sources students might learn: * the lives of the first settlers of Sydney * how settlement impacted on the local indigenous people * why history is important

Relevant Places of interest :  Susannah Place in Gloucester St is a surviving example of the type of terrace house at the Big Dig site  The Rocks Discovery Museum is located on 2-8 Kendall Lane off Argyle Street in The Rocks  The Rocks  Sydney Visitors Information centre  The State Library. Susannah Place Museum

References. Board of studies NSW, (2007). Syllabus: Human Society and Its Environment K-6. Board of Studies NSW, Sydney: Australia. Sydney Learning Adventures, (2001). Children Stepping Back in Time. Primary program Years 1–6 HSIE. Land and Property Management Authority. Sydney Foreshore Authority. NSW Government. Sydney Learning Adventures, (2010). Pieces of the past. Primary program. Years 5–6 H.S.I.E. NSW Planning & Infrastructure. Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority#